Los Angeles Lakers center JaVale McGee reacts during the second half of an NBA preseason basketball game against the Los Angeles Clippers in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday, Oct. 6, 2018. The Clippers won 103-87. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo)

Los Angeles Lakers coach Luke Walton yells to his team during the second half of an NBA preseason basketball game against the Los Angeles Clippers in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday, Oct. 6, 2018. The Clippers won 103-87. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo)

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James handles the basketball during a time out against the Los Angeles Clippers during the second half of an NBA preseason basketball game in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday, Oct. 6, 2018. The Clippers won 103-87. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo)

Los Angeles Lakers guard Josh Hart goes up for a dunk during the first half of an NBA preseason basketball game against the Los Angeles Clippers in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday, Oct. 6, 2018. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo)

Head coach Doc Rivers of the LA Clippers looks on during the first half of a NBA preseason game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Honda Center on October 6, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James reacts to a play while sitting on the bench during the first half of an NBA preseason basketball game against the Los Angeles Clippers in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday, Oct. 6, 2018. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo)

Head coach Doc Rivers of the LA Clippers looks on during the first half of a NBA preseason game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Honda Center on October 6, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

The Clippers’ Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the LA Clippers defends against Brandon Ingram #14 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half of a NBA preseason game at Honda Center on October 6, 2018 in Anaheim, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

Lou Williams #23 of the LA Clippers lunges for a loose ball as Michael Beasley #11 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the first half of a NBA preseason game at Honda Center on October 6, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

Lou Williams #23 of the LA Clippers directs his team during the first half of a NBA preseason game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Honda Center on October 6, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the LA Clippers dribbles past Kentavious Caldwell-Pope #1 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half of a NBA preseason game at Honda Center on October 6, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

Kyle Kuzma #0 and Montrezl Harrell #5 of the LA Clippers battles Kentavious Caldwell-Pope #1 of the Los Angeles Lakers for a loose ball during the first half of a NBA preseason game at Honda Center on October 6, 2018 in Anaheim, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

Marcin Gortat #13 of the LA Clippers dribbles into JaVale McGee #7 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half of a NBA preseason game at Honda Center on October 6, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the LA Clippers lays up past JaVale McGee #7 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half of a NBA preseason game at Honda Center on October 6, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

Clippers rookie Shai Gilgeous-Alexander glides past Lakers center JaVale McGee on his way to the basket during the first half of Saturday’s preseason game at Honda Center. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

Jerome Robinson #10 of the LA Clippers dribbles upcourt as Ivica Zubac #40 of the Los Angeles Lakers defends during the first half of a NBA preseason game at Honda Center on October 6, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

Sindarius Thornwell #0 of the LA Clippers dribbles past Kentavious Caldwell-Pope #1 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half of a NBA preseason game at Honda Center on October 6, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

Lou Williams #23 of the LA Clippers dribbles into Josh Hart #3 and Michael Beasley #11 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half of a NBA preseason game at Honda Center on October 6, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the LA Clippers defends against Brandon Ingram #14 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half of a NBA preseason game at Honda Center on October 6, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the LA Clippers defends against Brandon Ingram #14 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half of a NBA preseason game at Honda Center on October 6, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the LA Clippers defends against JaVale McGee #7 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half of a NBA preseason game at Honda Center on October 6, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

Ivica Zubac #40 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts to a foul call during the second half of a NBA preseason game against the LA Clippers at Honda Center on October 6, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

JaVale McGee #7 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles past Marcin Gortat #13 of the LA Clippers during the second half of a NBA preseason game at Honda Center on October 6, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

JaVale McGee #7 of the Los Angeles Lakers controls the ball against Marcin Gortat #13 of the LA Clippers during the second half of a NBA preseason game at Honda Center on October 6, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

Ivica Zubac #40 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks to pass during the second half of a NBA preseason game against the LA Clippers at Honda Center on October 6, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

Josh Hart #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers scores past the defense of Wesley Johnson #33 of the LA Clippers during the second half of a NBA preseason game at Honda Center on October 6, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

Marcin Gortat #13 of the LA Clippers knocks the ball loose from Brandon Ingram #14 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half of a NBA preseason game at Honda Center on October 6, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 and Marcin Gortat #13 of the LA Clippers defend against JaVale McGee #7 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half of a NBA preseason game at Honda Center on October 6, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

Isaac Bonga #17 of the Los Angeles Lakers passes the ball during the second half of a NBA preseason game against the LA Clippers at Honda Center on October 6, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk #10 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks to pass as Mike Scott #30 of the LA Clippers defends during the second half of a NBA preseason game at Honda Center on October 6, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

Boban Marjanovic #51 and Johnathan Motley #15 of the LA Clippers rebound a loose ball during the second half of a NBA preseason game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Honda Center on October 6, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

Rajon Rondo #9 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles upcourt during the second half of a NBA preseason game against the LA Clippers at Honda Center on October 6, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

Tobias Harris #34 of the LA Clippers defends against Kyle Kuzma #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half of a NBA preseason game at Honda Center on October 6, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

Head coach Luke Walton of the Los Angeles Lakers calls a play during the second half of a NBA preseason game against the LA Clippers at Honda Center on October 6, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

Lance Stephenson #6 uses a screen from Ivica Zubac #40 of the Los Angeles Lakers as Tyrone Wallace #9 of the LA Clippers defends during the second half of a NBA preseason game at Honda Center on October 6, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

Kawhi Leonard (Moreno Valley/Riverside) wanted to continue his basketball career in SoCal but was traded by the San Antonio Spurs to the Toronto Raptors in exchange for DeMar DeRozan (Compton).

Paul George (Palmdale) decided not to sign with the Lakers as a free agent, instead signing a deal and having a party with Russell Westbrook (Lawndale) and the Oklahoma City Thunder.

DeAndre Jordan left the Clippers and officially signed with the Dallas Mavericks this time around. Julius Randle landed in New Orleans, signing with the Pelicans as a free agent, after his split with the Lakers.

Before the regular season begins, which starts on Oct. 16, we have prepared everything you need to start the upcoming season.

Will the #Lakers and/or the #Clippers make the NBA’s Western Conference Playoffs?

The Lakers didn’t just add role players to their roster this offseason, the organization added players with NBA Finals experience and on-court generals such as LeBron James and Rajon Rondo. As a result, the Lakers are back in the spotlight with 43 games on national TV this season, including a pair of games against the Golden State Warriors on Christmas and MLK Day.

Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan are gone and the Lob City era is over but that hasn’t changed the mindset of the Clippers. Several members of the Clippers, including Coach Doc Rivers, made it clear during media day that they think they could win right now.

Whether or not this is a playoff-bound team remains to be seen but players such as Tobias Harris, who went through his first training camp with the Clippers, and Lou Williams, the reigning Sixth Man of the Year, will give fans reasons to be optimistic.

Without players like Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan on the roster, #Clippers coach Doc Rivers is asked about leaders for the team on and off the court. pic.twitter.com/s67GY9gdAg

The Southern California New Group’s NBA staff provides predictions for the NBA Finals, MVP and much more. They are available here.

SOCAL’s FINEST

Los Angeles was the center of the basketball universe for the 2018 NBA All-Star Weekend, but L.A. has been a hotbed of basketball talent for years. With that in mind, the Southern California News Group selected its All-Southern California NBA team, consisting of our panel’s choices for the best active NBA players from Los Angeles and Orange counties and the Inland Empire.

How would this region’s roster stack up against similar groups from other parts of the country? You decide (click on a player’s name to be taken to his profile page):

Houston Rockets forward Trevor Ariza warms up before the start of an NBA basketball game against the Miami Heat, Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2018, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

The Lakers dropped to 0-7 in games when Lonzo Ball does not play on Monday, and the rookie point guard’s status is very much in question for their next game, Wednesday in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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Golden State Warriors’ Jordan Bell, left, challenges the dunk by Chicago Bulls’ Robin Lopez during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2018, in Chicago. Bell injured himself on the play (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

Houston Rockets guard James Harden goes up for a dunk during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)

New Orleans Pelicans guard Jrue Holiday (11) goes to the basket in the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Sacramento Kings in New Orleans, Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2018. The Kings won 114-103. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Chicago Bulls guard Justin Holiday (7) goes to the basket in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the New Orleans Pelicans in New Orleans, Monday, Jan. 22, 2018. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

With the addition of players like LeBron James, it is no secret that several games on Lakers’ schedule will be in high demand.

The Lakers’ home opener against James Harden and the Houston Rockets is listen as the hottest ticket of the last five seasons based on the price, according to VividSeats. Another notable game on the schedule is a road game against the Golden State Warriors on Christmas Day.

FANTASY BASKETBALL

Here are the Top 10 fantasy basketball players based on the average draft position from Yahoo, ESPN, and CBS as complied by Fantasy Pros.

James H. Williams joined the Southern California News Group in 2013 with a passion for sports, social media and journalism that has led to his role as a Digital Sports Producer. During his down time, he finds himself on social media providing scores and stats on local and professional sports. When he is out at a game, he can be found roaming the sidelines and the snack bar at halftime.